Bosch has shaken things up as it launches a new table-less restaurant in London, where food is served directly onto the floor
Gok Wan recently played host to the launch of a rather unusual dining experience – a restaurant without tables or plates where meals are served straight from the floor. This multi-course gourmet concept, inspired by contemporary Asian cuisine, swaps traditional plates in just serving the food on a spotless vinyl surface right next to diners’ feet.
The restaurant, named FLOORS, has opened its doors in Angel, Islington, London, providing adventurous food lovers the opportunity to step out of their comfort zones and enjoy a truly unique dining experience. FLOORS aims to challenge preconceived notions about eating off the floor by transforming it into a central feature of the meal.
Instead of conventional tableware, the dishes are presented in protective casings made from natural, sometimes edible materials, artistically placed directly on the floor.
The tasting menu features delicacies such as lychee ceviche served in a chilled oyster shell, lotus leaf steamed meats with black bean-peppered beef, duck and oyster mushroom with black sesame mochi cake, fuyu sour cream, and an edible rice paper receipt.
This daring concept was developed by Bosch, who surveyed 2,000 adults and found 75% of people would never eat food that had fallen on the floor in a restaurant, but 23% would consider dining somewhere where food was served off the floor if they could be assured it was completely clean.
When asked about the prospect of booking a “Floor Dining Experience,” 64% of people said they’d find it weird-even if the floor was sparkling clean.
Still, Bosch is optimistic about changing perceptions, with a spokesperson stating: “This dining experience is all about pushing boundaries and reimagining what’s possible. With the right tools, even the floor can become the star of the dining experience. We’re excited to challenge perceptions and bring a new level of cleanliness to unexpected places.”
Intriguingly, over one in 10 people confessed they have no problem eating food off the floor during a dinner date, provided the five-second rule is observed. But a much larger majority deemed this an absolute no-no when dining at a restaurant. Meanwhile, 42% believed their home floors were clean enough to eat off.
Gok Wan shared his take on the experience: “I’d eat most things off the floor – in five seconds – if I knew how clean the floor was, unless it was soup.
“Many of us wouldn’t eat food if it’s fallen on the floor, especially in a restaurant – but personally, I’m not that fussy.”
Those interested in the idea can book the one-night-only Floor Dining Experience set to take place on Friday, May 9th.